Sustainable Agriculture Program

Food production is changing and will need a new kind of highly skilled producers. The Bristol Sustainable Agriculture program is designed to address the issues of a safe, reliable food supply and the environmental relationships of agriculture with resource use, energy consumption and climate change. 

Learn about local and global sustainability, nutrition, environmental science, public policy, and growing food organically.

Creating a Sustainable Future

The goal of this program is to provide you with the practical training and experience for sustainable farming and gardening. The training is directed towards new farmers, gardeners, landscapers, nursery producers, and farm managers. Upon graduating, you will be prepared to enter farming, gardening, community organizations, agricultural businesses, or to continue their education in sustainable agricultural professions.

The Bristol Sustainable Agriculture Program offers a wide range of courses, reflecting the multi-faceted process of creating a future of sustainable food. See below to view the Sustainable Agriculture Program course listings in the Bristol catalog.

Associate's Degree and Certificate

The program offers a Certificate in 1 year or an Associate in Science in General Studies (Sustainable Agriculture) in 2 years for full-time study. Part-time study is also available.

After Bristol

• Continue your education at a 4-year program such as University of Massachusetts/Amherst Sustainable Food and Farming Program or University of Rhode Island (URI) Sustainable Agriculture Program.
• Pursue a career as a professional organic landscape or garden consultant.
• Pursue a career as an organic producer.
• Employment on one of over 170 S.E. Massachusetts or Rhode Island organic farms.
• Employment at a nursery, landscape, or garden center business.
• Employment with a community development organization or school gardens program.
• Students with a 2 year Associate Degree are eligible to serve as an international agricultural volunteer in the U.S. Peace Corps.